Scarlett O’Hara

Why you should be excited

Scarlett O’Hara is a long-keeping apple, immune to scab, developed by a U.S. university co-op breeding program.

The story of Scarlett O’Hara

Sometimes referred to as Co-op 25, Scarlett O’Hara was the 14th apple variety developed by the impressive co-operative breeding program of Purdue, Illinois and Rutgers universities.

Like other co-op favourites such as Pristine and GoldRush, this apple is immune to apple scab and resistant to cedar apple rust.

It’s also a super long-keeper.

Selected from a batch of seeds started in 1971 and monitored through 12 years of growth, it’s a fresh-eating apple that improves over its first month in storage and then retains good qualities for months more, as long as you store it cold and with high humidity.

It’s susceptible to fire blight, so only a good choice in regions like ours where that’s not a significant issue.

Scarlett O’Hara Facts

Its origins:

Bred at West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, in 1971; released 1984.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Yellowish, coarse flesh is firm, crisp, sweet and slightly tart.

Appearance

Medium-sized with smooth skin that’s red-brown over yellow.

When they’re available

Mid-season (in our orchard: early September).

Quality for fresh eating

Very good.

Quality for cider

Not widely used in cider. Part of our modern cider blend.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Keeping ability

Excellent (up to 7 months if kept refrigerated).